Title:  Buried Dreams (Dreams #3)

Author:  Natasha Madison

Published:  March 14, 2025

Source:  ALC received in exchange for a review

Type:  audiobook

Blurb: 

 Everleigh

One night changed my whole life. After the truth about that night came out, I knew I had to leave.

Taking my broken heart with me. I had no choice but to go back. I knew it would slice me back open again. But sometimes the root of the flower you planted starts to grow again, no matter how many times you’ve cut them down. He was my everything, and then he was my nothing.

Brock

My parents taught me honor and integrity. And in one split second, I ruined it all. I lost everything I ever wanted. But I had no choice. I tried to go on with my life. And the only good thing I had was my daughter. Never expected to see the one woman who I’d loved and lost here again. They say time heals old wounds. They were wrong. It just splits you open, making you bleed out.

I just have to survive again.

Check it on Amazon & Goodreads          

Introduction

“Buried Dreams” by Natasha Madison is the third book in the Dreams series and follows Brock and Everleigh, another couple affected by the accident that happened years ago. It’s a story about finding love again, reconnecting with friends and family.

Summary

Everleigh and Brock have always been close. Before the accident, they were each other’s everything and life could not be more perfect. But the events following that night changed them and Brock’s decisions will bury their love. Not managing to set things right again, they break up, only to see each other again when an unfortunate event brings Everleigh back to her hometown. Unspoken feelings have left our main characters with only aversion toward one another and the road to overcome it has secrets that must be uncovered first.

Characters

Brock is full of hate, while Everleigh has more hurt than hate. Or at least this is the feeling that each manifest more often. Both what to stay away, but it’s impossible to do so in a small town, especially considering that her mom owns the bakery. He is now a father, sharing custody with his ex-wife. His sole focus is his little girl. Eve wants to care for her mom and is in town for a short while.

Their love is as intense as before and when they come together is as explosive as it was years ago. I loved how both struggled to reconcile with their past and how finally they agree to have an adult conversation. The character development is around our main characters’ journey toward closure and rebuilding their trust.

There is another romance in the background that piqued my interest also: Eve’s mom and her doctor. They were so sweet together. Seeing mother and daughter talk about it was a beautiful respite from the torment she has with Brock.  

Themes

Secrets have a way to come back, and until then, they eat at our characters’ hearts. The unspoken emotions, the miscommunication are front and center in this book. Community and friendship are also present in the story. It was beautiful seeing Eve reconnect with her friends, as well as the town supporting the reconstruction of the bakery. Second chance is everywhere and for everyone. We have second chance at love at different ages, second chance professionally and at friendship. I love how all these levels are combined.  

Writing

Natasha Madison’s writing is beautiful and emotional. She mixes romance, small town and a little bit of mystery with such grace and easiness. The plot has several elements, not just the romance, and those keep the reader guessing on the outcome. There is also Brock’s relationship with his ex-wife, the complications with one of the most influential families and even Brock’s ex-boss.

Reflections

While I loved the story and I loved the feelings our characters struggle with, I believe there are too many complications and too many layers to the story and not all of them see an end as developed as it would have deserved. I also believe that their hatred was too much and whatever Brock hides, does not justify it.  The intimate scenes were too many and occupied too much space that could have been allocated to developing some of the other angles.

The narration was 10 out of 10!  Gregory Salinas and Savannah Peachwood are a great combination for our couple. Gregory’s interpretation of Brock was flawless. While I loved Savannah’s as well, she was almost always gentle and sweet, but Brock’s character had a lot of ups and downs and middle points. It felt more complex, even from interpretation perspective.

Cover Review: I don’t get it. There is a couple, but why are they wet? He seems to be groveling, while she stands proud. I’m not getting “Buried Dreams” vibes.

Favorite Quote:  “I hate that I loved you for as long as I did.” The pain of her words makes my head feel like it’s exploded. “I hate I loved you at all.”

Conclusion

With all my ups and downs, I still enjoyed the book and I am happy to see another couple having their HEA! If you have not read the series, it should definitely have a place on your TBRs. The first two books were definitely more intense, but “Buried Dreams” does not fall too far behind. If you choose the audiobook route, it will definitely be an amazing experience.

Let me know in the comments below if you have read any books by Natasha Madison or if you have some of her stories on your TBR.

Until next time, happy reading!

 About The Author 

When Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author’s nose isn’t buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she’s in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It’s a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn’t listen to her…